Apply now to Changemakers’ Summer Camp: Find Your Voice!
Are you a young activist or dreaming of becoming one? Do you want to learn the tools you need to change the world? Would you like to meet like-minded young people from other countries and promote international cooperation?
If the answer is yes, then the Changemakers’ Summer Camp: Find Your Voice is meant for you!
Changemakers’ Summer Camp: Find Your Voice is an international cooperation project aimed at youth interested in activism and politics. The project consists of a five-day summer camp in the Åland Islands from 6th to 10th of August and a short pre-camp meeting online on 18th of July. You get to share the camp experience with youth from all around Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia and Latvia.
The programme includes expert speakers, workshops and discussions under the theme of changemaking and political communication, as well as time for informal chats and hanging out with young activists from other countries! During the camp you’ll learn practical skills needed in changemaking, whether you want to organize a demonstration, lobby politicians, become a fluent public speaker or create social media campaigns to make a change!
Programme:
Pre-camp online meeting on the 18th of July 2024 at 18.00–19.30 EEST
- During the pre-camp meeting we will get to know each other, go through camp info together and talk about our ideas and expectations for the summer camp.
Summer camp 6th–10th of August 2024 in the Åland Islands (+ travel time to and from Mariehamn)
- Five days of programme includes inspirational and high profile speakers, workshops on changemaking and space for informal conversations and having fun with like-minded youth from other countries.
- Participants will deepen their knowledge on current political issues, learn skills and methods needed in changemaking, get to exchange ideas with peers and make lots of new friends!
Who can apply?
Anyone who is interested in politics/activism, aged between 15–30 and lives in Finland, Norway, Sweden, the Åland Islands, Estonia or Latvia! Membership of the Young Greens or the Green party is not required. We very warmly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for the summer camp! Motivation is the single most important factor in selecting participants, and commitment to attending both the camp and the pre-camp online meeting is required.
What language is used at the camp?
The language of the summer camp is English, so all participants should have a working knowledge of English and be able to actively participate in workshops using English. However, this is also an opportunity to learn and practice, and group leaders and other participants will help with translations into Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, Estonian or Latvian when needed.
Where is the summer camp and how do we get there?
The camp takes place in the beautiful Åland Islands, where the groups from different countries will travel together from a common starting point with a group leader. Participants will be traveling to the starting point independently. The travel bookings from the starting point (Turku/Stockholm/Oslo/Tallinn/Riga) to Åland will be done by the camp organizers.
Participants from Finland will travel alone to Turku on 5 August, where they will meet their group leader. The Finnish group will stay a night in Turku (except those who live in Turku) and then take the morning ferry to Mariehamn on 6 August. After the summer camp, the Finnish group will travel together to Turku in the afternoon of 10 August, and from there the participants will travel home by themselves.
How much does it cost and what is covered?
There is a participation fee of 50 euros per participant. However, if you are not able to pay the fee, you can apply for a fee waiver by contacting the organizers if you are selected for the camp. Participants’ travel between the summer camp site in Åland Islands and their hometown in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia or Latvia, the accommodation during the travels and at the campsite and meals during the summer camp are covered.
Is the campsite accessible?
The campsite is mostly accessible for people using mobility aids. The accommodation buildings, toilets & showers, canteen and lecture hall are accessible, however the beach and the sauna building are not. If needed, you can take a personal assistant with you to the camp. We will cover the accommodation and the traveling costs for the personal assistant. If we can’t book an accessible bus for the trip from the harbour to the campsite, we will cover the costs of a taxi. If you have any questions regarding the accessibility, please contact the Project Manager Aura Castrén (aura.castren@vihreatnuoret.fi / +358 45 806 5244).
Sounds great! How do I apply?
The application period is 15.5.–5.6. Please fill in the application form in the link below.
All applicants will be informed whether their application was successful by 14 June at the latest.
Any questions?
Please contact Aura Castrén, Project Manager, Communications & Equality Specialist, Young Greens of Finland (aura.castren@vihreatnuoret.fi / +358 45 806 5244)
Changemakers’ Summer Camp: Find Your Voice is organised by the Young Greens in Finland, Norway, Sweden, Latvia and Estonia (Vihreät Nuoret, Grønn Ungdom, Grön Ungdom, Protests and Noored Rohelised) and Hållbart initiativ in the Åland Islands as well as with financial support from the Nordic Culture Point.